Theresa's MDS Journey and Bone Marrow Transplant

My name is Theresa - and most likely I will have other people managing this site from here on out, but I wanted to be able to tell you my story in my own words.

Up until a few months ago, I had been very healthy. I worked out regularly and really watched what I ate. I was especially sometimes given a hard time for the way I guard my sleep habits. I lifted weights, went to yoga weekly, and I practiced meditation, EFT Tapping and prayer regularly. Everything was going well in my life!

I started getting headaches in August of 2022 and they became increasingly worse. I was been given a clean bill of health this February, so at first I wasn't too concerned.

I was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Septemeber 18th and then was in the ER every week after that for the headaches, bleeding around my optic nerves, ear infections and general fatigue. I was given a COVID infusion treatment called Redemesvir, that I had an allergic reaction to. All of my CT scans were clear at these visits.

On October 13th I went to the ER again and this time I was admitted to the hospital after a blood draw revealed that all of my blood counts were low - my hemoglobin, white and red cells. After being subjected to many tests, including MRI, ultrasounds, spinal tap and bone marrow biopsy - I was diagnosed on October 21st with Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), which is a pre-leukemia in my bone marrow. Basically, my bone marrow has stopped making healthy blood for me and I will need aggressive treatment right away. The treatment includes an initial 30 days in hospital, where I will receive aggressive chemo for 10-12 days to get me into remission. During that time, we will seek a bone marrow donor and I will need to eventually go to Denver to receive a transplant. After the transplant, I will also need to be in isolation for 30 days.

My oncologist feels that because of my age and health, I am a good candidate to receive this treatment and be successful. By the way, this is the same cancer that Robin Roberts of "Good Morning America" had. She is 10 years post-bone marrow transplant and is doing well. I am hopeful for the same outcome!!

So how can you help?

• Prayers - I BELIEVE in the power of prayer!! Good vibes, good energy!

• Donate Blood - My blood type is B Positive and I always thought that was so great! It doesn't matter what type YOU are because so many people need blood and I have already received 5 blood transfusions.

• Consider being a donor for bone marrow on Be The Match. The testing is easy, and they just swab your cheek to get you into an international registry! You could save a life - maybe even mine.

• Write letters or send cards to me. Words of encouragement mean SO MUCH!!!

• Donate to my GoFundMe campaign. While I do have medical insurance covered, I unfortunately do not have any disability insurance offered through one of my jobs, and I am also an entrepreneur and was getting ready to open a new business before all of this took place.

• BE POSITIVE! I need positive energy/words/encouragement. If you cannot be positive or helpful, please refrain from contacting me or commenting anything negative to me.

• Consider making a purchase from my Amazon wishlist (link to be provided later), for items I may need for comfort while I am hospitalized.

• LIVE LIFE! Take chances, travel, love, laugh and be happy as much as possible. I have been incredibly blessed the past few years that my hard work has allowed me to build a beautiful life and experience so many things I had always wanted to do!